Pseudolaelia is a small genus belonging to the orchid family (Orchidaceae), the entire genus endemic to Brazil.[1] The abbreviation used in the horticultural trade is Pdla.
The flowers of these orchids resemble those of Laelia, but the main difference between these two genera lies in the vegetative part.
These orchids occur exclusively in Eastern Brazil, often as epiphytes. Some are lithophytes, forming a thicket on the rocks. Others, as Pseudolaelia vellozicola, are semi-epiphytes and can be found on mat-like communities of Vellozia bushes on inselbergs (dome-shaped granitic or gneissic rock outcrops) in the Brazilian Atlantic rainforest, requiring an adaptation to the extreme environmental conditions (dryness, isolation)
The rhizomes are extended. The pseudobulbs are fusiform, cylindrical to conical, carrying three to eight leaves. These are apical, deciduous, upright, leathery and pointy. The base of the leaves clasps the pseudobulb from the upper third till the apex.
The inflorescence is a long raceme, growing from the apex of the pseudobulb, with an undefined number of small white to pink flowers, opening in a consecutive manner clustered at the apex.
Pollination is performed by hummingbirds, butterflies, dipterids and hymenopterids. The flowers of Pseudolaelia corcovadensis, being self-compatible, are also pollinated by deceit by the bee Bombus (Fervidobombus) atratus by mimicking a generalized bee-attracting food-flower. However, these visits are rather rare
Species accepted as of June 2014:[1]
| Image | Name | Distribution | Elevation (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pseudolaelia aromatica Campacci | Minas Gerais | around 490 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia ataleiensis Campacci | Minas Gerais | around 280 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia brejetubensis M.Frey | Espírito Santo | 1100 – 1400 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia calimaniorum V.P.Castro & Chiron | Espírito Santo | 1000 – 1400 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia canaanensis (Ruschi) F.Barros | Espírito Santo | 300 – 1000 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia cipoensis Pabst | Serra do Cipó | around 1400 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia citrina Pabst | Minas Gerais, Espírito Santo | around 1200 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia corcovadensis Porto & Brade | Rio de Janeiro | 500 – 900 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia dutraei Ruschi | Espírito Santo | 400 - 700 metrers | |
| Pseudolaelia freyi Chiron & V.P.Castro | Espírito Santo | 1100 – 1400 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia geraensis Pabst | Minas Gerais | ||
| Pseudolaelia irwiniana Pabst | Serra do Espinhaço | around 900 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia maquijiensis M.Frey | Espírito Santo | around 700 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia oliveirana V.P.Castro & Chiron | Espírito Santo | 400 – 600 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia pavopolitana M.Frey | Espírito Santo | around 350 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia pitengoensis Campacci | Minas Gerais | around 600 meters | |
| Pseudolaelia regentii V.P.Castro & Marçal | Bahia | ||
| Pseudolaelia vellozicola (Hoehne) Porto & Brade | Bahia, Espírito Santo | 1000 – 1400 meters | |